Lacrosse head

ABSTRACT

A lacrosse head including a sidewall having upper and lower rails and an optional cross member. At least one of the upper and lower rails and cross member are cored out to define a recess. The recess can be partitioned by multiple trusses into multiple individual voids. The voids can be of increasing depth, progressing from shallower to deeper depths from the bottom rail to the upper rail. The lower rail can be reinforced with additional trusses near the base or ball stop of the head to add strength and rigidity there. The density of the trusses and/or cross sectional area of material can be altered in the upper rail, lower rail and cross member to selectively alter stiffness in those components. The stiffness of these components can also vary to provide different position heads, for example, attack, midfield and defense heads, with selectively different stiffness and strength characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lacrosse heads, and more particularly,to lacrosse heads having selectively disposed stiffness and flexibilityregions.

Conventional lacrosse heads are constructed from plastic and include anopen frame having a ball stop joined with the base, a pair of sidewallsthat diverge from the ball stop and a scoop that connects the sidewalls,opposite the ball stop. The sidewalls include a lower rail that definesmultiple circular or elliptical string holes. A net is strung to thelower rail via the string holes, around the back side of the frame,leaving the opposing side of the frame open for catching or shooting alacrosse ball.

Most lacrosse heads are constructed to be light and maneuverable.Typically, this is accomplished by reducing or eliminating material fromthe head, for example, by making larger through holes in the frame. Manytimes, however, this reduction in material and corresponding largeopenings in the frame, leads to undesired flexibility and strengthreduction. In turn, the head can be susceptible to bending, deformationand/or breakage. Flexibility in the wrong places in the head also canlead to improper ball control, and can compromise accurate, consistentshooting and passing with the head.

While there are some heads that incorporate certain types of structuresto bolster the strength of the head without significantly increasingweight, many fall short of their goal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lacrosse head is provided including frame having a ball stop joinedwith a base, a scoop, and sidewalls joining the base and scoop. Theframe defines a plurality of recesses and/or voids on the ball facinginterior of the head. The recesses and/or voids are strategicallypositioned, reinforced and dimensioned to provide strength andflexibility to select regions of the head. The voids optionally can bereinforced with one or more trusses that are disposed at least partiallywithin the voids.

In one embodiment, the lacrosse head includes sidewalls each having anupper rail, a lower rail and one or more upper and optional crossmembers. The upper rail, lower rail and/or cross member can define oneor more recesses. The recesses can be partitioned by a plurality oftrusses that establish multiple voids in the respective upper rails,lower rail and/or cross member. The trusses and voids can enhance thestrength and rigidity of the head while enabling it to remainlightweight and maneuverable.

In another embodiment, the voids are configured to face toward alongitudinal axis of the head and open generally toward the interior ofthe head. The bottom of the voids can be generally closed except forstringer net holes at the bottoms of certain voids, the net holesprojecting through the lower rail.

In yet another embodiment, the voids and/or recesses are progressivelydeeper as they transition from the lower rail to the upper rail,optionally through the cross member. In some cases, the voids can beabout 1% to about 200%, about 10% to about 150%, about 25% to about100%, or about 50% to about 100% greater in depth in the upper rail thanin the lower rail. Optionally, the lower rail can define shallower voidsand/or can include more material per cross sectional area, as comparedto the upper rail. Thus, the lower rail can be stiffer and more rigidthan the upper rail, which can be more flexible and/or resilient thanthe lower rail.

In still another embodiment, the voids and/or recesses defined in alower rail, upper rail and/or cross member are progressively deepertransitioning from a base or ball stop to a scoop of the head, or viceversa. In some cases, the voids can be about 1% to about 200%, about 10%to about 150%, about 25% to about 100%, or about 50% to about 100%greater in depth in the part of the head near the scoop than in the partof the head near the base or ball stop of the head.

In yet another embodiment, the voids and/or recesses defined in a lowerrail, upper rail and/or cross member are deeper in certain parts ofthose elements than in other parts to fine tune the dynamic flexing ofthe head. Depending on the desired flexibility of the head, the voidscan be about 1% to about 200%, about 10% to about 150%, about 25% toabout 100%, or about 50% to about 100% greater in depth in certain partsor locations along the lower rail, upper rail and/or cross member thanin other parts of the same lower rail, upper rail and/or cross member.

In even another embodiment, the trusses vary in density in variousportions of the upper rail and/or the lower rail. For example, in thelower rail, the density of the trusses, and thus the reinforcement ofthe lower rail, can be enhanced adjacent the ball stop.

In a further embodiment, the density of the trusses can be decreasedforward of the ball stop and optionally increased yet again where across member intersects the lower rail. Varying densities can beachieved throughout the upper and lower rails by altering the density ofthe trusses and/or the overall material at a given cross section of therespective rails and/or cross member.

In still a further embodiment, the recesses can be included in the upperrail, the lower rail and the cross members forward of the ball stop andrearward of the scoop. The truss members, recesses and voids canterminate short of the scoop and short of the ball stop, being containedonly in the upper and lower rails and cross member of the sidewalls.

The lacrosse head described herein provides exceptional stiffness andrigidity, as well as flexibility in preselected locations within thehead. The recesses and voids diminish the overall weight of a head whichlends itself to improved maneuverability and feel. The optional trussesenable the head to provide improved deflection characteristics,comparable to heads having significantly greater amounts of materialbuilt into a given component. Thus, the head exhibits a unique balanceof stiffness and flexibility where needed. In addition, the trussmembers, voids and recesses can provide enhanced rigidity and a reduceddeflection of the head when certain forces are exerted on the head.Further, due to the lightweight construction and the voids and recesses,a significant weight savings for the head is achieved. The dimensionsand locations of trusses, recesses and voids can be selectively modifiedfor heads used in a variety of different positions, for example, attack,midfield and defense positions. This can lend to the overall ease ofplayability in those positions and can assist a player adapting to thosevarious positions.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the descriptionof the current embodiment and the drawings.

Before the embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to thedetails of construction and the arrangement of the components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of beingpracticed or being carried out in alternative ways not expresslydisclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology used herein are for the purpose of description and shouldnot be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” andvariations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.Further, enumeration may be used in the description of variousembodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumerationshould not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific orderor number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construedas excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps orcomponents that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps orcomponents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a current embodiment of a lacrossehead;

FIG. 2 is a close up perspective view of a lower rail of the lacrossehead;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the lacrosse head;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lacrosse head;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the exterior of the lacrosse head;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an interior of a sidewall of thelacrosse head;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the lacrosse head sidewall taken along lines7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the lacrosse head sidewall taken along lines8-8 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of an interior of a sidewall of a firstalternative embodiment of the lacrosse head; and

FIG. 10 is a section view of the lacrosse head sidewall taken alonglines 10-10 in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS I. Overview

A current embodiment of the lacrosse head is shown in FIGS. 1-8 andgenerally designated 10. The lacrosse head 10 includes a throat 11 toconnect the head to a lacrosse handle (not shown), a pair of opposingsidewalls 20 and a scoop 30 connecting the pair of opposing sidewalls 20opposite the throat 11. Located at the lower end of the head, adjacentthe throat 11 is a base 50 which includes a ball stop 52. The sidewalls20 can be of an open frame construction, that is then they can define atleast one non-string hole that extends completely through the sidewalls,from the interior to the exterior, where the non-string hole reduces theweight of the head. Exemplary non-string holes are the frame holes 21,22 and 23 shown in FIG. 5. The sidewalls, ball stop and scoop cangenerally wrap around and form a periphery of the interior 13 of thehead. The interior of the head optionally can be the portion andsurfaces of the head that directly contact the ball while the ball isbeing carried in, caught by or shot from the head. Each sidewall caninclude an upper rail 60 and a lower rail 70. One or more cross members30 can be joined with the upper rail and a lower rail, generallyextending from one to the other adjacent one or more of the openings 21,22 and 23.

The lacrosse head 10 includes one or more cored out sections or recesses80, 81 and 81 defined by the cross members, upper rail and/or lower railrespectively. These recesses can be generally partitioned into multiplevoids 32, 62 and 72 by multiple respective trusses 33, 63 and 73. Thevoids can be of progressively decreasing depths D1-D10 as shown in FIG.8. from the upper rail 60 to the lower rail 70, optionally through thecross members 30. The truss members can increase in density in selectregions, for example regions 16 and 18. Further, the amount of materialand/or trusses in a given cross section can increase or decrease,depending on the desired rigidity or flexibility in certain regions orcomponents of the head. As an example, region 16 is adjacent the ballstop 52 and in an area of the head that is subject to extreme bendingforces during play. The truss density or cross sectional areas of thehead components can be increased in this region to improve rigidity andprevent or impair flex in this region. Region 18 can be located in oradjacent the lower rail 70 adjacent the forward most cross member 30.This area can include increased truss density and/or increased crosssectional areas of material as desired.

Generally, the head can be constructed so that the lower rail 70 isstiffer and has a higher modulus of elasticity than the upper rail 60.This can enable the lower rail to remain more rigid while allowing theupper rail to be more flexible, which can improve the maneuverability,play and feel of the head 10. Each of the above structures will now bedescribed in further detail.

II. Construction

The general construction of the exemplary head 10 will now be describedfurther with reference to FIGS. 1-8. As shown, the throat 11 can extendfrom the base 50 and can define a socket S. The socket S can be tubularin shape and can define a cavity to receive a handle 12. Alternatively,the throat 11 can include a projection which is adapted to fit within ahandle (not shown). The handle can be secured to socket S, optionallyvia a fastener (not shown) such as a screw, peg or other fasteningdevice or material, such as an adhesive, cement or glue. Optionally, thethroat 11 and/or socket S can define apertures or holes as shown toreduce the weight of the head 10.

The head 10 includes sidewalls 20 that generally are positioned onopposite sides of a longitudinal axis LA of the head, which optionallycan bisect the head into opposing halves. The longitudinal LA extendsfrom the ball stop 52 and/or base 50 toward the scoop 40. A plane P canbe established through the longitudinal axis LA. For example, the planeP can extend perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 4 and can intersect thelongitudinal axis LA along its length. One or both of the sidewalls 20can extend from the ball stop 52 toward the scoop 40 which is located atthe opposite end of the head 10.

Each sidewall 20 can include upper rails 60 and lower rails 70. Theserails can be secured to an extent between the base 50 and the scoop 40.Alternatively, these upper and lower rails can be an extension of thebase 50. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper rails 60, lower rails 70and the sidewalls 20 can follow an outward curvilinear path near thebase 50 before extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis LA,generally within the throat T. The throat T can generally extend from aball stop 50 about ½ to ⅔ the length of the interior 13, of the head orother distance as desired.

The upper and lower rails 60, 70 can include an exterior surface 60E and70E, respectively, located generally opposite the interior 13 of thehead. The exterior surfaces can form part of an exterior of the head,which generally is not configured to contact the ball as it is held orshot from the head. These exterior surfaces can be of a partialcircular, polygonal, elliptical, rectangular or beveled cross sectionthat are generally uniform or vary as these surfaces extend from thebase 50 to the scoop 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the sidewalls 20 can be of an open frameconstruction, defining one or more non-string apertures 21, 22, 23between the upper and lower rails 60, 70. These apertures can be of anypreselected shape and can be configured for structural or aestheticpurposes as desired. In addition to the non-string holes, the sidewalls20, and in particular the lower rails 70, can define one or more stringholes 18 that allow attachment of a net or pocket (not shown) to thehead 10. The precise placement of these string holes can vary asdesired. Further, although shown as generally rounded, circular orelliptical holes, these string holes can vary in geometric shapedepending on the application.

The sidewalls 20, and in particular the upper rails 60, can join with anupper rim or portion of the ball stop 52, as well as the upper rim orportion 46 of the scoop 40. This bounded region can define a ballreceiving area or interior 13, also sometimes referred to as a ballreceiving area, which is where the lacrosse ball can enter and exit thehead 10 when the ball is caught, thrown, shot or dislodged therefrom.Opposite the ball interior or receiving area, the sidewall lower rim 70,scoop lower rim 47 and lower ball stop rim 56 can define a lower boundedregion, which can define a ball retaining area. This is where thelacrosse ball typically is located when retained in the head 10,particularly in a net (not shown) attached to the head 10.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the sidewalls also can include cross members30 that can extend between and be joined with the upper rail 60 and thelower rail 70. The cross members 30 each can include a first end 30A anda second end 30B that join with the respective upper 60 and lower 70rails. As illustrated, the cross members 30 can be slightly curved andextending at an angle relative to the upper and lower rails.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lacrosse head 10 can include one or morerecesses 80 cored out from and/or defined by the respective upper rail60, lower rail 70 and/or cross members 30 in any combination. Althoughshown in each of the respective components, the recesses 80 can beformed in the components individually or in combination. The recesses 80shown in FIG. 2 can be of a concave rounded, partial circular geometricshape, and/or can include a rounded, planar, polygonal or other shapedbottom. Of course, the recesses can be of virtually any geometric shapeas described below. Generally, the bottom 84 of the recess 80 is closedso that the voids 72 do not extend all the way from the interior 13through to the exterior 70E of the lower rail 70. Although describedprimarily in connection with the lower rail, the recesses, trusses, andvoids herein can be of similar construction and position in othercomponents, such as the cross member 30 and/or upper rail 60.

Returning to FIG. 2, the recess 80 can extend from immediately adjacentthe ball stop 52 up toward but short of the scoop 40. The recess 80 asshown in FIG. 6 of the lower rail 70 can intersect and be joined withthe recess 81 of the upper rail 60 near the scoop 40, forward of therespective cross members 30. The recesses 80 ad 81 optionally can becoextensive. Further optionally, each of the recesses 80 and 81 can becoextensive with and form an extension of the recesses 82 formed in therespective cross members 30. Depending on the particular application andthe desired location, the recesses can take on a variety of differentconfigurations and intersect one another at different locations. Inaddition, although shown as having a recess 80 in the lower rail, arecess 81 in the upper rail and a recess 82 in the cross members, one ormore of these recesses can be selectively deleted. For example, thecross members 30 can include no recesses.

Optionally, the recesses in the lower rails 70 can be of a first depth,and the recesses in the upper rail 60 can be of a second depth. Thesecond depth can be about 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, 5.0 mm, 10 mmor more, greater than the first depth. The corresponding cross sectionof the upper rail and lower rail can differ in area accordingly. Forexample, in a cross section taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, the crosssectional area of the upper rail can be greater than that of the crosssectional area of the lower rail farther along the same line. Furtheroptionally, the cross sectional area of material in the lower rail canbe greater than the cross sectional area of material in the upper rail.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the recesses can form a closed bottom 84,which is concave and opens toward the longitudinal axis LA or generallytoward the plane P of the head 10. The bottom 84 can be planar, flat,rounded or of a semi-circular construction. Alternatively, the bottom(and the recess in general) can be of a rectangular, square, triangular,polygonal or other shape and cross section desired. For example, asshown in FIG. 7, the recesses 80′ and 80″ can be of square orrectangular in the respective upper rail 60 and lower rail 70. Again,the precise configuration of the recesses can be selected depending onthe application.

With reference to FIG. 2, the recesses 80 of any of the rails and/orcross members can be partitioned by multiple truss members 73. Thesetruss members can extend transversely relative to the recess 80,partitioning the recess into multiple adjacent voids 72. These adjacentvoids can be of a variety of different shapes and configurations. Asillustrated, the voids 72 can be of a generally triangular shape. Thetriangular shape can be an isosceles triangular shape, a right angletriangular shape, and equilateral triangular shape or some othertriangular shape. Of course, the voids 72 can be of other geometricshapes, such as polygonal, hexagonal, square, rectangular and/orelliptical shapes. The corresponding trusses 73 that bound the voids canform similar geometric shapes as the voids, and can form the boundariesof the respective voids 72.

The trusses 73 can extend generally perpendicular to the plane Pextending through the longitudinal axis LA. Of course if desired, thetrusses 73 can be offset at some predetermined angle, for example 10°,15°, 20°, 25°, 45°, 60°, 70°, 80° or some other angle relative to theplane P. The trusses 73 can extend substantially entirely from theinterior 13 of the head to the bottom 84 of the recess 80.

If desired, the trusses 73 can be of multiple first 73A, second 73B andthird 73C truss types, as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the truss 73Acan extend generally from the lower perimeter wall 75 to the upperperimeter wall 74 of the lower rail and can be perpendicular to theedges 74E and 75E of the rail. The second truss 73B can extend at someangle α relative to the edge 74E and at some angle β relative to theedge 75E. These angles can vary depending on the particular constructionof the voids. As shown, the angles α and β can be between about 45° and75°, further optionally, about 50° to about 60°. Of course, other anglescan be selected, depending on the application.

The respective first and second trusses 73A and 73B can extend to and begenerally contiguous with the upper perimeter wall 74. The second truss73B and third truss 73C can also extend to and be contiguous with thelower perimeter wall 75 of the lower rail 70. Optionally, all of therespective inner surfaces facing toward the longitudinal axis LA of therespective perimeter walls 74, 75, the trusses 73, 73A, 73B and 73C, canlay in a continuous plane that is parallel to or at some angle relativeto the plane P. Generally, these combined surfaces can form the portionof the interior 13 of the head that contacts a lacrosse ball when theball is held within or shot from the head 10.

The trusses 73 can intersect at a plurality of intersections 77 as shownin FIG. 2. At these intersections, for example, the first truss 73A andthe second truss 73B can intersect. Intersections 77 also can form anintersection between the trusses and the upper perimeter wall 74 and/orthe lower perimeter wall 75. Where multiple trusses come together, anintersection 77 can be relatively crowded. Any number of trusses canintersect at an intersection 77, for example 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 or more,depending on the particular application and desired truss density.Optionally, each of the trusses 73 can be of a planar configuration andcan extend generally toward the longitudinal axis LA and/or plane Pdepending on the particular application.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the respective voids 72 can be boundedwithin the recess 80 by respective walls of the trusses. For example,the truss inner wall 73A′, the truss inner wall 73B′ and the bottom 84can bound the void 72. Of course, where the recess is of a differentconfiguration, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 which is morerectangular, the void 72′ can be bounded by the bottom 84′ and the innerwalls 73A″ and 73B″. The exact number of truss inner walls and thebottoms bounding a particular void can vary depending on the geometricconfiguration of the recess 80 and the trusses.

Returning to FIG. 2, the bottom 84 of a void can intersect the innerwall 73A′ of the first truss 73A. The bottom 84 extends up to andintersects the opposite interior wall 73B′ of the second truss 73B. Thebottom can also extend up to the edge 75E and lower perimeter wall 75.Of course, if the void is adjacent the upper perimeter wall 74 or edge74E, the bottom 84 can also intersect or transition to that wall or edgeas well. Where the void is not adjacent the upper perimeter wall or thelower perimeter wall, the bottom can simply intersect interior walls ofany trusses adjacent the void.

The respective perimeter walls 74 and 75 and their edges 74E and 75E cantransition to the exterior 70E of the rail 70. This exterior 70Egenerally extends outwardly and forms the exterior surface of the rail70. Optionally, at least one of an upper perimeter wall and a lowerperimeter wall is contiguous with and extends to an exterior surface ofat least one of the first sidewall, second sidewall, and cross member.Further optionally, the upper perimeter wall and lower perimeter walleach can be contiguous with and can extend to an exterior surface of atleast one of the first sidewall, second sidewall and cross member. Wherea net string hole 18 is defined in the lower rail 70, it can extend fromthe bottom 84 through the side rail 70 to the exterior surface 70E ofthe lower rail 70. Even with this construction, however, the voidsand/or recesses still retain a “closed bottom.” More particularly, thesenet openings 18 are not considered to “open” the closed bottom 84. Tohave an open bottom, a substantial portion of the void 72 would have toopen to through the exterior 70E, other than only the net holes 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, the trusses 73 can be of any increased density ornumber in the regions 16 and 18. These regions can correspond to areasof high stress and fatigue, typically associated with breakage of theheads. Truss density in a given area or region can be calculated bycounting the number of individual trusses (or the overall sum of thearea of the truss inner surfaces) in that area or region on the interior13 of the head. Each truss between two points of intersection with oneor more other trusses counts as a single truss in the truss densitycalculation. Thus, although a truss may extend from a top to a bottomrail, if there are two intersections with other trusses, that trusswould count as three trusses total for calculation of truss density.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the density of the trusses 73 in region 16 isgreater than the density of trusses in like sized region 17 furtherforward along the rail 70. This different density of trusses can add tothe strength and rigidity of the head in preselected locations, andmaintain weight savings in other areas. Generally, the truss density canincrease in the area 16 nearest the ball stop, decrease between therespective cross members 30, and then increase again at the second crossmember farthest from the ball stop 52 in region 18. From there, trussdensity can again decrease forward toward the scoop 40.

As another example, the truss density can increase from the lower rail70 toward the upper rail 60. Additionally or alternatively, thecorresponding cross sectional area along a given line (such as line 7-7)can increase from the lower rail to the upper rail.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the trusses can form a generallyrepeating pattern between the respective cross members along a length Lthat is optionally greater than ¼, ⅓, ½ or ¾ of the overall length ofthe interior 13 from the ball stop 52 to the inner edge of the scoop 40along longitudinal axis LA. Further optionally, the length L can beabout 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% of the overall lengthfrom the ball stop 52 to the inner edge of the scoop 40 along thelongitudinal axis LA.

The voids 72 defined by head 10 can be of a varying depth D in thedifferent portions or components of the head. For example, the depth ofthe voids 62 in the upper rail 60 can be greater than the depth of thevoids 32 in the cross members 30 and/or greater than the depth of voids72 in the lower rail 70. Optionally, the depth of the voids 62 in theupper rail can be 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 150%,200%, 250% and/or 300% greater than the depths of the voids 72 in thelower rail 70. Further optionally, the depth of the voids 32 in thecross members 30 can be 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%,150%, 200%, 250% and/or 300% greater than the depths of the voids 72 inthe lower rail 70. These depths can be varied depending on theparticular application and whether or not the different portions includedifferent void depths.

As another example, FIG. 8, shows a section view of the voids takenalong line 8-8 in FIG. 6. The depths D1-D9 of the voids decreaseincrementally from the upper rail 60 through the cross member 30 intothe lower rail 70. Many times this results in a total amount ofmaterial—from which the head is made, and the respective cross sectionalareas of that material, in those different components, for example theplastic or other material in the upper rail 60 cross member 30 and lowerrail 70—generally increasing from the lower rail to the upper rail. FIG.7 also illustrates the difference in depths of the voids 72′ in thelower rail 70 relative to the void 62′ in the upper rail 60 taken alongline 7-7 of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the depth D11 in the lower railis about half the depth D12. These depths, their differences and ratiosto one another can vary depending on the particular application. Ofcourse, in some circumstances, the depths of the voids can remainconsistent, that is all can be of a singular depth throughout all of thecomponents in which the voids are defined. Alternatively, the voiddepths might be reversed in some limited applications.

As further shown in FIG. 7, the overall cross sectional areas in theupper and lower rails can differ. For example, the cross sectional areaof material LA in the lower rail can be generally greater than the crosssectional area of material UA in the upper rail. The cross sectionalarea LA can be optionally 5%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 200% morethan the cross sectional area UA, depending on the application.Generally, this can result in the lower rail being more stiff and rigidthan the more flexible upper rail.

The voids and trusses of the head can be common to different components.For example as shown in FIG. 6, the void 36 can be common to the crossmember 30 and the upper rail 60. The void 37 can be common to the crossmember 30 as well as the lower rail 70. Optionally, if the entire crossmember defines a single void, that void would be common with both theupper rail, the cross member and the lower rail.

As shown in FIG. 2, any one of the rails and/or cross member can includea cross section. This cross section can be taken perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis LA and/or plane P through the upper rail and/or lowerrail. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower rail includes the material of thelower rail that fills a cross sectional area A1. This cross section alsoshows the lower rail includes a void cross sectional area A2.Optionally, any cross section through a lower rail, upper rail and/orcross section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA and/orplane P (where there is a void) can have a void cross sectional area A2that is less than ½ the cross sectional area A1 of material in therespective component. Further optionally, in a cross section takenperpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the upper rail and/or alower rail, each void in the cross section can have a cross sectionalarea that is less than half of a cross sectional area of a remainder ofthe respective upper rail and lower rail adjacent the void. In somecases, this can ensure that the rail has enough material to provide thedesired stiffness and/or strength to the head 10.

In general, the lacrosse head 10 can be constructed so that the lowerrail 70 has a greater stiffness than the upper rail 60. For example, thelower rail 70 can be 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% stifferthan the upper rail 60. Optionally, the upper rail 70 can be 5%, 10%,20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% more flexible than the lower rail 60.Of course, the stiffness also or alternatively can vary from the ballstop 52 toward the scoop 40. As mentioned above, the stiffness can begreater in the regions 16 and 18 or any other preselected locationsalong the lower rail.

The lacrosse head and its components can be constructed from a varietyof materials such as nylon, urethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene,polypropylene, polyketone, polybutylene terephalate, polypthalamideand/or optionally, any of a variety of polyamides. Other materials suchas composites, metals and alloys can be used as well.

III. First Alternative Embodiment

A first alternative embodiment of the lacrosse head is illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10 and generally designated 110. This embodiment is similarto the embodiment above with a few exceptions. For example, the head 110includes upper and lower rails 160 and 170, as well as optional crossmembers 130A and 130B. Although not shown, the head 110 can also includea longitudinal axis LA and a plane P (not shown) similar in placementand position to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. As with theembodiment above, the respective voids 172 and recesses 80 can bebounded by one or more truss members 173, truss walls, truss inner wallsand bottoms. Further, the voids can be bounded by upper perimeter wallsand/or lower perimeter walls as explained in connection with theembodiment above.

As with the embodiment above, the sidewalls can include trusses 173 thatextend generally perpendicularly to a plane P extending through thelongitudinal axis LA (e.g. FIG. 4). The trusses 173 can also be offsetat the predetermined angles identified above relative to the plane P inthe embodiment above if desired.

As shown in FIG. 9, the trusses 173 as can be in a homogeneous and/orrepeating pattern. Accordingly, the voids 172 can be generally of thesame length, from top to bottom corners, and width, from side to sidecorners, when they are formed entirely within one of the respectiveupper rails, lower rails or cross members. An example of this isillustrated by the voids 191 and 192 in the lower rail 170 in FIG. 9.Where the voids 172 break adjacent one of the perimeter walls 175, theycan be truncated. An example of this is the void 193, which is basicallyhalf or a portion of the size of the voids 191 and 192.

The respective voids 172A and 172B can be of the same area when viewedfrom the interior of the head. Optionally, other “whole” voids 172elsewhere throughout the head sidewall 120 can likewise be of the samearea on the interior, when viewed along the interior of the head facingaway from the longitudinal axis LA or toward the sidewall 120. Furtheroptionally, such whole voids can be generally polygonal, and optionallyin the form of parallelograms.

Where the voids are formed in a substantially repeating pattern of theinterior sidewall, the intersections 177 can be equally spaced from oneanother across the respective adjacent voids along the respective trussmembers. The intersections 177 can be equally spaced from one anotheralong a particular truss member. This is shown in FIG. 9, where theintersections 177A, 177B and 177C lay along a common truss member 173A.All of these intersections are generally equal spaced from one another.For example, intersection 177A is a first distance from 177B, andintersection 177B is spaced the same first distance from intersection177C.

The respective elements, for example the lower rail 170 and/or upperrail 160 as well as a cross member 130A can include voids of varyingdepths. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the depth of the voids 172 canvary from the base 150 and/or ball stop 152 toward the scoop 140. Thedepths can increase along the direction from the ball stop 152 to thescoop 140. As one example, the depth D14 of the void 172G closer to theball stop 152 can be less than the depth D13 of the void 172F adjacentthe scoop. Put another way, the first depth D13 can be greater than thesecond depth D14. Generally, the depths of the voids and/or recesses canbecome progressively deeper progressing from the ball stop 152 towardthe scoop 150.

Optionally, the depth and/or volume of the voids toward the scoop can be1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 250% and/or 300%greater than the depths and/or volumes of the voids near the base.Further optionally, the depth and/or volume of the voids in a firstlocation in the upper rail, lower rail or cross member can be 1%, 5%,10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 250% and/or 300% greaterthan the depths and/or volumes of the voids in second locations in theupper rail, lower rail or cross member, or elsewhere in the samecomponent. These depths can be varied of course, depending on theparticular application and whether or not the different portions includedifferent void depths and/or volumes.

Generally, as with the embodiment above, the depth of a void 172 can beestablished by measuring from the interior surface 1051 on the sidewall120 to the bottom 172B of the respective void as shown in FIG. 10. Thevolume of a void can be established by measuring the volume of the spaceshown in broken lines 172V.

Optionally, the volumes of the voids 172 can progressively increase fromthe base 150 toward the scoop 140. Further optionally, if desired, thevolumes of the voids 172 can also decrease generally from the upper rail160 through the cross members 130A to the lower rail 170. Of course,this volume change can be reversed depending on the application.

The respective depths and volumes of voids can be strategicallypreselected for certain areas of the respective upper rail lower railand cross members. For example, a first depth of a void 172X, that is,depth D15, can be selected to be greater than a second depth D14 ofanother void 172G, that is closer to the ball stop. This depth D15 canbe determined based on, for example, the attachment of the cross member130A immediately adjacent the void 172X. The cross member can addadditional structural rigidity to the lower rail at that point, andtherefore the void 172X can be slightly deeper in this location toprovide weight savings to the head.

Optionally, in some cases, the depths of voids can be out of order. In aprogression of depths that generally increases, for example, from thebase 150 to the scoop 140, void 172X is a specific example of this. Thedepth D15 of void 172X can be slightly deeper than the next void 172toward the scoop.

Generally, the depths of individual voids can be preselected based ondesired performance characteristics, such as rigidity and flexibility,in certain regions of the respective upper rail, lower rail and/or crossmembers 130. In turn, the head can be selectively tuned for flexibility.

The respective sidewalls 120 can include cross members 130A and 130B. Asshown, one or more of the cross members, for example 130B, can bewithout any of the voids or recesses. In this construction, when alacrosse ball is in the head, adjacent the sidewalls, it can contact theclean, generally planar or contoured inner surfaces of the cross members130B when it engages those cross members. Of course, when the lacrosseball is adjacent and contacting the upper rail 160 and/or lower rail 170or other portions of the cross members 130A, the lacrosse ball canengage one, two, three, four or more of the multiple truss members 173.In some cases, the lacrosse ball and the head can contact both theinterior surface of a cross member 130B as well as one or more trusses173, or some other area on the rails or cross member without voids orrecesses. For example, if desired, certain select portions of therespective upper rail 160 and lower rail 170 can be void of any voids orrecesses, in which case the interior facing portion of those elements issimply a planar or contoured surface without any voids or recesses. Theparticular location of these respective “clean” parts of these elementscan be selected depending on the desired flexing and strengthcharacteristics of the head. These same voidless parts can be engaged bya lacrosse ball on the inside of the head.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention.Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from thespirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles ofpatent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure ispresented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as anexhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limitthe scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated ordescribed in connection with these embodiments. For example, and withoutlimitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may bereplaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similarfunctionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes,for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those thatmight be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternativeelements that may be developed in the future, such as those that oneskilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative.Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features thatare described in concert and that might cooperatively provide acollection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to onlythose embodiments that include all of these features or that provide allof the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly setforth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in thesingular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” isnot to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Anyreference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant toinclude any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Yand Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A lacrosse headcomprising: a throat adapted to connect to a lacrosse handle; a basejoined with the throat, the base including a ball stop, the ball stopextending from an upper ball stop rim to a lower ball stop rim; a scoopdistal from the base; a first sidewall and a second sidewall, eachextending from the base toward the scoop and joined with one anotherdistal from the base at the scoop, each first and second sidewall beingof an open frame construction, each first and second sidewall includingan upper rail and a lower rail and a cross member extending between andjoined with the upper rail and the lower rail, and a longitudinal axisextending from the ball stop toward the scoop, wherein at least one ofthe upper rail, lower rail and cross member is cored out to define aplurality of voids, wherein each of the plurality of voids opens towardan interior of the head, toward the longitudinal axis, wherein at leastone void from the plurality of voids includes a first truss extendingacross the at least one void.
 2. The lacrosse head of claim 1 whereinthe plurality of voids are defined in the upper rail, the lower rail andthe cross member.
 3. The lacrosse head of claim 2 wherein voids definedby the bottom rail are shallower than the voids defined by the upperrail.
 4. The lacrosse head of claim 1 wherein the first truss includesan interior edge that faces toward the longitudinal axis and forms aball contact surface on the interior.
 5. The lacrosse head of claim 4wherein the lower rail includes a truss density, wherein the trussdensity is greater adjacent the ball stop, and decreases toward thescoop.
 6. The lacrosse head of claim 1 wherein the lower rail includes afirst truss density and the upper rail includes a second truss density,the first truss density greater than the second truss density.
 7. Thelacrosse head of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of voids isbounded by a closed bottom wall, a first truss inner wall and a secondtruss inner wall, wherein the bottom wall is substantially concave. 8.The lacrosse head of claim 1, wherein a first plurality of voids aredefined in the upper rail, wherein a second plurality of voids aredefined in the lower rail, wherein a third plurality of voids aredefined in the cross member.
 9. The lacrosse head of claim 8, wherein afirst void is common to the first plurality of voids defined in theupper rail and the third plurality of voids defined in the cross member.10. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted for connection to alacrosse handle; a base joined with the throat; a scoop distal from thebase; a pair of sidewalls extending from the base and joined with oneanother distal from the base at the scoop, each sidewall being of anopen frame construction and including at least one non-string hole, eachsidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail separated from oneanother by a distance, each sidewall including a cross member joinedwith the upper rail and the lower rail; and a longitudinal axisextending from the base toward the scoop; wherein the base, scoop andpair of sidewalls form an interior of the head and an outwardly facingexterior; wherein the lower rail defines a first plurality of voidsopening toward the interior, but not the exterior, toward thelongitudinal axis, wherein individual voids from the first plurality ofvoids are separated from one another and generally bounded by a firstplurality of intersecting trusses arranged perpendicular to a verticalplane passing through the longitudinal axis; wherein each of the firstplurality of voids is bounded by a first closed bottom so that each ofthe first plurality of voids does not extend completely through thelower rail, the first closed bottom further bounding each of the firstplurality of voids. wherein a plurality of net holes are defined in thelower rail, in a plurality of preselected closed bottoms.
 11. Thelacrosse head of claim 10, wherein the upper rail defines a secondplurality of voids opening toward the interior, toward the longitudinalaxis, wherein the second plurality of voids are separated from oneanother and bounded by a second plurality of intersecting trussesarranged perpendicular to the vertical plane passing through thelongitudinal axis; wherein each of the second plurality of voids isbounded by a second closed bottom so that the each of the secondplurality of voids does not extend completely through the upper rail.12. The lacrosse head of claim 11, wherein the first plurality of voidshave a first void depth, wherein the second plurality of voids have asecond void depth, wherein the first void depth is less than the secondvoid depth.
 13. The lacrosse head of claim 12 wherein the cross memberdefines a third plurality of voids opening toward the interior, towardthe longitudinal axis, wherein the third plurality of voids areseparated from one another and bounded by a third plurality ofintersecting trusses arranged perpendicular to the vertical planepassing through the longitudinal axis; wherein each of third pluralityof voids is further bounded by a third closed bottom so that the each ofthird plurality of voids does not extend completely through the crossmember.
 14. The lacrosse head of claim 13, wherein the third pluralityof voids have a third void depth, wherein the third void depth is lessthan the second void depth.
 15. The lacrosse head of claim 10 whereinthe first plurality of trusses have a truss density that is greater nearthe base than near the scoop.
 16. The lacrosse head of claim 10 whereinthe upper rail and cross member have a second and third plurality ofvoids, respectively, wherein a depth of the first plurality of voids isgreater than another depth of the second and third plurality of voids.17. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat adapted for connection to alacrosse handle; a base joined with the throat; a scoop distal from thebase; a pair of sidewalls extending from the base and joined with oneanother distal from the base at the scoop, each sidewall being of anopen frame construction and including at least one non-string hole, eachsidewall including an upper rail and a lower rail separated from oneanother by a distance, each sidewall including a cross member joinedwith the upper rail and the lower rail; and a longitudinal axisextending from the base toward the scoop, wherein the upper rail, lowerrail and cross member reach include a cored out portion, wherein theupper rail, lower rail and cross member include a plurality of trussesthat separate the cored out portion into a plurality of voids, whereinthe plurality of voids open inward, toward the longitudinal axis. 18.The lacrosse head of claim 17, wherein the cored out portion isgenerally concave, opening toward the longitudinal axis, wherein theplurality of trusses extend inward toward the longitudinal axis, whereinthe plurality of trusses are generally planar elements, wherein theplurality of trusses are substantially perpendicular to a planeextending through the longitudinal axis.
 19. The lacrosse head of claim17 wherein the plurality of voids increase in depth progressing from thelower rail to the upper rail.
 20. The lacrosse head of claim 17 whereinthe plurality of voids include a first void of a first depth, and asecond void of a second depth, wherein the first depth is greater thanthe second depth, wherein the respective first and second depths imparta preselected flexibility to at least one of the upper rail, lower railand cross member.